The Best Memory Care Facilities in Duluth, MN
Dementia, and specifically Alzheimers, is a serious, growing problem. In fact, 1 out of every 10 adults over the age of 65 has Alzheimer’s dementia. As Duluth’s senior population continues to grow (14% growth between 2015 and 2020), so does the concern about aging and the risk of cognitive impairment.
In Duluth, the number of deaths for those 65 and older caused or partly caused by Alzheimer’s disease rose 93% between 2015 and 2020. To put that in perspective, the number of deaths from all causes for that same age group only increased by 21%, showing that Alzheimer’s is a growing concern in the region. Overall, the percentage of seniors’ deaths related to Alzheimer’s is higher than the rest of the nation (10.93% in Duluth vs. 6.46% in the U.S.). To help families and caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s or other forms of cognitive impairment find the support and care their loved ones need, we applied our unique methodology and spent dozens of hours researching senior living communities in Duluth. In addition to an overview of the communities’ best features, this guide highlights the best memory care facilities in the city, and gives information about pricing, types of care provided, residents’ reviews, and more.
The Best Memory Care Facilities in Duluth, MN
Table of Contents
How Memory Care Facilities Can Help
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 83% of all caregivers are unpaid family members, relatives, or other friends, and nearly half of all care is for older adults with some form of dementia. Caregiving, especially when it involves Alzheimer’s or dementia, is extremely exhausting and time consuming, leading many caregivers to feel isolated and overwhelmed.
As a loved one continues to progress through the stages of dementia and his or her cognitive abilities continue to decline, behavioral problems, safety, and general care often become more than one caregiver can handle. This is when it’s important to find extra help, and residential facilities that have specialized memory care programs are often the best solution.
In addition to providing a safe environment, memory care programs seek to delay or halt cognitive decline while providing the opportunity for a social, independent lifestyle.
Our Selection Process
To choose the best memory care facilities in Duluth, our team of researchers started by using our unique methodology to develop a list of contenders. We further refined the list in the next phase of our process by completing hands-on research for each one of the companies that we developed. Finally, we compiled online reviews from residents and families and wrote summaries of each facility that made it through our selection process.
Overall, our team:
- Spent over 18 hours researching memory care facilities in Duluth
- Read more than 65 reviews written by residents and their loved ones
- Interviewed 5 representatives from local communities
Reviews of the 8 Best Memory Care Facilities in Duluth
Ecumen Lakeshore - The Shores' Memory Care
- Resident Capacity:60
- Room Types:1-Bedroom Apartments, 2-Bedroom Apartments, Private Rooms
- Care Provided: Assisted Living, Independent Living, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing
- Base Pricing:Not Listed
Ecumen Lakeshore - The Shores' Memory Care is a safe neighborhood with 20 apartments. Its 24-hour nursing team conducts wellness checks at the community's monthly wellness clinic, and care providers deliver support solutions for activities of daily living. The community has QuietCare motion sensors that trace the activity patterns of residents and send alerts to the staff for quick responses to urgent situations. The campus has a transportation program that features wheelchair-enabled vehicles to transport the residents to community amenities within the Twin Ports area. Seniors can unwind by walking or using pedicabs on the paved walking paths within the campus. The community offers flexible, healthy dining options and light housekeeping and laundry services. There's a fitness room equipped with exercise equipment. Residents can meet and socialize at the courtyard grille, cascade cafe, or club room.
Previous residents recommend the community and its staff for the services provided. One says, "I stayed here for three months in 2012, and I was treated humanely. I might need them again in the future because my health is poor. The staff was very compassionate, and the food was great."
- Reviews:4.63 out of 5 stars; 35 reviews
- Phone:(218) 625-7100
- Address:4002 London Rd, Duluth, MN 55804
- Web:www.ecumenlakeshore.org
Diamond Willow Assisted Living
- Resident Capacity:56
- Room Types:1-Bedroom Apartments, Private Rooms
- Care Provided: Assisted Living, Memory Care
- Base Pricing:Not Listed
The campus of community homes at Diamond Willow Assisted Living provides a welcoming neighborhood environment with professional, supportive services and health care. Memory care residents live in secured dedicated communities with 24-hour monitoring using the WanderGuard Safety Monitoring System. Open floor plans in every building include a community kitchen with dining space and lounge highlighted by a central stone fireplace, allowing residents to relax and socialize in a home-like atmosphere. In-house caregivers and visiting health care professionals coordinate to provide a continuum of care to seniors and their families throughout the aging process. Housekeeping, laundry, utilities, daily meals and snacks, scheduled activities, and weekly salon services are all included.
Residents and family love the family atmosphere and intimate setting of the individual communities within Diamond Willow, with one reviewer noting, "Today I visited with my Mom at Arbor Rose. There was a lot of laughter in the dining room. between residents and staff! A sweet sound that felt like a big family."
- Reviews:2.86 out of 5 stars; 25 reviews
- Phone:(218) 348-0905
- Address:915 Old Hwy 2, Proctor, MN 55810
- Web:diamondwillow.com
Elysian Senior Homes of Duluth
- Resident Capacity:Not Listed
- Room Types:Studios, 1-Bedroom Apartments
- Care Provided: Assisted Living, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing
- Base Pricing:Not Listed
Elysian Senior Homes of Duluth is an assisted living community specializing in dementia and memory care. The community is nestled in the vibrant, recreation-oriented city of Duluth, Minnesota. The facility's specialized memory care unit is secured 24/7 to prevent disoriented seniors from wandering off, and its care and wellness staff on-site offers residents comfort, medical care and a sense of familiarity. The dementia care neighborhood provides cozy one-bedroom and studio apartments with nutritious meals and snacks, individual climate control and private bathrooms with safety features. The staff schedules wellness and lifestyle enrichment programs to offer seniors intellectual, spiritual and physical support, and they provide hands-on assistance with day-to-day tasks such as grooming, eating and mobility, as well as housekeeping and laundry.
Reviewers laud the community for its spacious living areas and welcoming, enthusiastic staff. One family member notes, "Their apartment was spacious, clean, and felt comfortable. The staff seemed attentive, friendly, and helpful. The common areas were clean and had a fresh and newness about them. "
- Reviews:4.20 out of 5 stars; 69 reviews
- Phone:(218) 464-9400
- Address:110 Coffee Creek Blvd, Duluth, MN 55811
- Web:www.elysianofduluth.com
Benedictine Living Community - Duluth
- Resident Capacity:Not Listed
- Room Types:Private Rooms
- Care Provided: Assisted Living, Independent Living, Memory Care, Adult Day Services, Skilled Nursing
- Base Pricing:Not Listed
Benedictine Living Community - Duluth is a senior living community that offers independent living, adult day services, assisted living and memory care. Memory care residents live in private suites equipped with accessible private baths so they can retain as much independence as possible. However, Benedictine acknowledges that cognitive decline can lead to motor issues which is why residents receive full support with the activities of daily living. Caregivers are available 24/7, and pendant monitoring is utilized so residents can wander freely and safely. During day hours, residents are invited to dine in the community area, enjoy the sunroom or landscaped courtyard and visit the library. They are also welcome to try out aromatherapy and take part in daily cognitive exercises.
Reviews of Benedictine Living Community highlight the caring staff, with one relative stating, "The residents have a lot of things to do," and "The staff was answering all of my concerns and were very friendly." The daughter of a resident states, "Everything was clean, the food was good, and the people were very kind."
- Reviews:3.32 out of 5 stars; 38 reviews
- Phone:(218) 522-8900
- Address:935 Kenwood Ave, Duluth, MN 55811
- Web:www.benedictineliving.org
New Perspective Senior Living | Twin Ports
- Resident Capacity:Not Listed
- Room Types:Studios, 1-Bedroom Apartments
- Care Provided: Assisted Living, Independent Living, Memory Care
- Base Pricing:$4,411 for Memory Care, $3,914 for Assisted Living, $1,825 for Independent Living
New Perspective | Twin Ports is a continuing care community that offers independent living, assisted living and memory care to seniors in a hotel-like setting. Meals are made from scratch, and memory care residents can enjoy supervised outings to on-site amenities, including a fitness center, cafe and indoor pool. Caregivers are trained in dementia care and available around the clock to create a calm and soothing atmosphere for residents. Housekeeping and linens are taken care of daily, and nursing care is available during business hours to ensure every resident is properly cared for mentally, emotionally and physically.
Reviews for New Perspective | Twin Ports are positive, with one person describing the community as "lovely," adding that there is a "great leadership team and rock star team members." Another reviewer describes it as a "wonderful place for senior citizens to reside in" because "everyone is so friendly and always willing to help others."
- Reviews:3.85 out of 5 stars; 87 reviews
- Phone:(715) 718-3335
- Address:1915 N 34th St, Superior, WI 54880
- Web:npseniorliving.com
Edgewood Hermantown
- Resident Capacity:226
- Room Types:Studios, 1-Bedroom Apartments, 2-Bedroom Apartments, Companion Suites
- Care Provided: Assisted Living, Independent Living, Memory Care, Hospice, Respite
- Base Pricing:$5,725 for Memory Care, $3,650 for Assisted Living
Edgewood Hermantown's memory care community provides a secure environment where residents with cognitive difficulties can maintain their independence and still receive the care they need. Specially trained staff members help with daily living activities, manage medication, perform personal safety checks and do housekeeping and laundry. Three levels of care are available based on residents' needs and abilities, and therapy is accessible on-site. Community activities include music, games and crafts, and Edgewood's unique Life Stations allow residents to reminisce as they handle common objects such as gardening tools, jewelry and baby dolls. The community's common areas offer plenty of space for socialization in a cozy, homelike atmosphere. Nutritious, home-cooked meals are served three times per day, and snacks are available as well. An on-site beauty and barbershop adds convenience.
Residents and their families value the caring staff and many activities at Edgewood Hermantown. One reviewer remarks that staff members provide "tender loving care." "Edgewood has been great! The facility is very clean, and the staff are wonderful!" the reviewer exclaims. Others note the good food and fun games and socials.
- Reviews:3.03 out of 5 stars; 34 reviews
- Phone:(218) 723-8905
- Address:4195 Westberg Road, Hermantown, MN 55811, USA
- Web:www.edgewoodhealthcare.com
The North Shore Estates
- Resident Capacity:70
- Room Types:Private Rooms, Shared Rooms
- Care Provided: Memory Care, Hospice, Respite, Skilled Nursing
- Base Pricing:Not Listed
The North Shores Estates supports residents dealing with cognitive decline. Staff on-site 24/7 are specially trained to assist during memory loss episodes, guiding residents between rooms if they become confused and anxious. They also manage medications and assist with ambulatory functions, dressing, personal grooming and bathing. In emergencies, staff contact medical professionals from other parts of the campus, including registered nurses and physicians. Therapists deliver treatments designed to mitigate memory loss' effects and slow dementia's advance. Private and semiprivate rooms are cleaned regularly by housekeepers, who also do laundry, and three freshly-prepared meals are served daily in the Butterfly Bistro. A fully equipped beauty salon/barbershop is on-site.
Residents and their families love the high-quality care and attention from the staff. The sister of one resident says, "My brother has been in this facility for about a month. He tells me during every phone call how kind, helpful, professional and patient ALL the staff are. My cousin, who is in Duluth facilitating my brother's care, also reports how well my brother is cared [for]."
- Reviews:3.18 out of 5 stars; 31 reviews
- Phone:(218) 628-2341
- Address:7700 Grand Ave., Duluth, MN 55807
- Web:monarchmn.com
New Perspective Senior Living Cloquet
- Resident Capacity:162
- Room Types:Studios, Companion Suites, Private Rooms, Shared Rooms
- Care Provided: Assisted Living, Memory Care, Respite
- Base Pricing:$4,849
New Perspective Senior Living Cloquet provides seniors over the age of 55 with assisted living, respite and memory care. The facility has plenty of greenery and is secure with residents able to get fresh air in the secured courtyard. A nursing team is stationed on-site and is available 24/7 to meet residents' medical needs, and a culinary team makes fresh meals daily to aid seniors' nutrition. On-site occupational and physical therapy services help to maintain physical well-being, and mental well-being is ensured with a daily program of social activities such as gardening, playing cards and music. Transportation is also provided for community outings to local sports events or parks.
Residents, families and friends appreciate the homely atmosphere. A friend of a resident remarks, "It's clean and feels like home. The staff is great and always makes you feel welcome. Most facilities feel like hospitals, but this feels like home. My best friend moved in several months ago. She loves it here, and I love coming here to visit."
- Reviews:4.23 out of 5 stars; 39 reviews
- Phone:(218) 729-2233
- Address:705 Horizon Cir., Cloquet, MN 55720
- Web:npseniorliving.com
